$400.00 mistake

[wormhole]

To see what happen here's the story kind of: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t70340.html
So today I took my car to the toyota dealership to see what the problem was. They lifted my car up and found out that I had a nice size dent in my gas tank. They quoted me about 416 for a new tank and that's just for the tank not including labor ($53 hr. for labor). Ouch!
Now the guy said if I found a new tank for cheaper they would install if for me. So now I'm on a search for a new tank. Here is a couple of questions:

1. Would the gas tank off a gen 4.5 camry fit (a local junk yard has one)? I wouldn't see why not their the same car just comestic differences. right!

2. What would be a good site to find a new tank.

3. How hard would it be to replace the tank myself and what would I need to do so (tools, parts etc.) and how long would it take?

I hope this thread makes sense and please don't flame me for my questions or for what I did.

[karazy]

Any gas tank repair shop should be able to get you one for half that price, or a used one for even less.

If the tank is not leaking, can't you just pull or push the dent out? Gas tanks are easy to work on, as long as you have something to drain the gas into first. All you need is some sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers. Some vaseline, and a new seal and clamps would be nice.

[SmokingTires]

The gas tank is made out of plastic. If it isn't leaking, WHY FIX IT? I say leave it! The dealership is just trying to screw you out of $400. They don't care if it would still work or not. They just want their money. Leave it be. Your fine, it's not going to hurt you besides making the amount of gas the tank can hold somewhat smaller. You'll be fine. Don't waste your money.

[chronoti]

i say go with smokin if it's not broke dont fix it ....

[wormhole]

I agree with what you guys said if it ain't broke don't fix it. So then, what would be causing my gas gauage stay at full all the time then. Which was the reason why I took it in to being with.

[Edmond]

For $400+, I would live with it!

[wormhole]

I just got my car back from the dealership. The supervisor guy said that there was a nice size dent in the tank and that's where I should probable start with (basically he said I should replace the tank.) I aksed him how that would affect my gas guage. Now here is where I need you guys opionion and knowledge. He said that there is a sensor in the tank that could've been messed up when I dented the tank. What sensor is he talking about?
If there is a sensor how hard would that be to replace and would I still have to drop the tank to get to it?When I got back to my apartment I looked under my car just out of curuiorsity. The right side of the tank looks fine. The left side you can feel to little empressions in the tank that were filled with dirt. It looks like to me that it dented the tank a little but nothing like the toyota tech. said. Then again how often to I look at gas tanks.
Any help would be great cause I really don't want to replace the tank if it's something simple. Thanks guys.

[500KCamry]

If you lift out the back seat, you can see where the fuel pump is situated. Does the dent on the bottom of the tank line up with the pump location? If so, then the dent might be affecting the level sensor and the fuel pump pick up strainer.

I think the fuel pump, strainer and level sensor are all together (they are on a Gen 3). You can pull the pump out easily and inspect the level sensor and strainer. You might even be able to push out the tank dent with the fuel pump removed, but exercise care in doing so.

Do it outside with the back doors open. No smoking. Disconnect the battery before working on it.

[Toysrme]

In Corvettes, you have to take the exhaust out to do a lot of work.

I know a chevy dealer that took the muffler off a '99 Vette to do some work, and punched a 1/4" hole in the gas tank. They put the exhaust back on and sent the car out. (guy lives two houses from me) We were tooling around and two WEEKS later found out why he was running out of gas so quickly. It's all on the exhaust.



wormhole you're fine. The stock tank is 18.5 gallons. A dent in it is not going to affect very much of that capacity.
Let's face it... 99% of Camry owners are pussies, they don't drive the car into the 30mile reserve to begin with. (That's why the gauge runs out long before the tank does.)

[Porkch0p220]

yes everything is together and one unit in a gen 4

[EKam]

Originally Posted by Toysrme

Let's face it... 99% of Camry owners are pussies, they don't drive the car into the 30mile reserve to begin with. (That's why the gauge runs out long before the tank does.)

Can I hear that again?

[SmokingTires]

It may have messed up the gauge a little. Just go based on mileage. Do you remember how much mileage you got per/tank?

[wormhole]

Thanks guy. I falied to mention that when I looked at the dent it did look like it was about where the fuel pump is. So it's probable messing that up. My boss at work her husband does autobody and has worked on a number of gas tank. So next weekend while I'm out mountain biking he's going to looking at the gas tank for me. He'll probable just knock the dent back. By the time that he looks at it I should basically be out of gas I get about 19-22 around town depending on how my foot feels.
This is alot better than paying the stealership for a new tank. Thanks guy for all the advice and I'll let you guys know what the out come is.

[SmokingTires]

And last resort, AutoZone now carries slavaged parts. You can always get one there also.

However, if you damaged the fuel leve sensor, that will need to be replaced before your gauges will work correctly again. Pulling the dent will just increase your tanks holding capcity to normal again.


Any pics of the damage?

[Velox_camry]

dude i did the same thing at about 45 too got stuck halfway on a curb ... my gas gauge is fine but when i hit the brakes now, and release i have the loud pendulum like squeeking noise coming from my gas tank now... i havent gotten it fixed yet since i didnt wanna hear the price